Birria taco, ramen spot proudly shows health code corrections

MCALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — In this week’s Food 4 Thought, a Top Performer is taking a big leap.

They’re opening a new location at a place the Food Patrol visited 2 years ago.

His incredible message to never give up and a birria restaurant with 16 violations has a major turnaround.

The owner is proud of the changes and is leaving the door open for us.

This past July the Food Patrol surprised Edith’s Mexican Buffet at 4809 West Expressway 83 in McAllen with a Top Performer sticker.

“I would like to have this every single week here in our restaurant," said Employee, Paula Varela. “It’s an honor.”

The honor is ours, to highlight great kitchens and their hardworking staff.

Owner, Mario Cruz and his family were on a well-earned vacation before business picked up again with the soft opening of their newest location in Harlingen.

“Once you’re a Top Performer you’re part of the family, and when you start expanding that’s when we gotta check in on you. Let’s go!”

Edith’s new location at 1600 West Harrison Ave in Harlingen, is familiar.

Former Top Performer The Pour Station used to serve here but closed in March.

Mario saw the chance, swooped in, and closed early on the soft opening for an unexpected situation.

“We actually ran out of food," said Cruz. "We never run out of food where you were equipped to serve hundreds of people per day, but Harlingen showed out, the community here so much support. That was exciting for us.”

The recipes for the buffet are from Mario’s mother-in-law.

While other restaurants are from last name, a grandparent, or some family tie, Mario named the family restaurant after the love of his life, his wife Edith.

That's que rico!

But it's que asco time! Sort of.

Birria El Primaso at 2901 Diamond Ave. in Mission had 16 violations on its June 18 Hidalgo County Health inspection report.

Most of the violations were on the inspector's secondary priority list and could be fixed in 10 days. It’s not major but can pile up into bigger problems if not corrected.

We showed up, looking for owner Cristobal Naranjo, who just left and so did the new inspector who gave them a clean report.

“Apparently everything is perfect, but I don't know how to show you, he just left," said Naranjo. "You all can record all you want. Everything is clean. El Primaso is always at 100.”

To prove it, Cristobal went item by item showing the corrections.

He also opened up about why he opened a restaurant.

“We started here selling food in the streets on plates. It started going well in the pandemic," he said.

Her food was a hit but a lot of work to prep and inventory.

Focusing on a simplified menu and birria flavors was an instant hit with customers.

“And boom people started coming," he said.

El Primaso was so clean, honest, and humble when offered one of their signature drinks.

We paid, tipped, and extended the invite to return when they have a 100 on a surprise inspection from the health department.

Even though we missed the food, the inspector who had just come over here to give Cristobal a 100% passing, said everything was good to go, and when we did our walkthrough, everything looked great.

While Edith’s is expanding, El Primaso is too.

They’re opening another location and like Edith’s, we’re just waiting for that health inspection report to show 100 on a surprise visit to give them a top performer sticker.

You’re part of the Food Patrol! When you see dirty habits, please send us photos/videos and a copy of the complaint you filed to your local health department to News@KVEO.COM